Were you or a loved one a victim of sexual assault or abuse in St. Paul, MN? The trauma caused by sexual abuse can haunt you for a lifetime. An experienced St. Paul sexual abuse lawyer at Hall Law Personal Injury Attorneys can help you fight for justice and accountability.
We’re an award-winning law firm with over 80 years of experience in personal injury law. To date, we’ve recovered over $90 million to help clients like you move forward with their lives.
Your attacker may owe you compensation. However, you may also have the right to pursue compensation from a negligent third party who allowed the abuse to occur. To learn more about your legal rights, contact our law offices in St. Paul, Minnesota, at (800) 292-1979 to schedule a free consultation today.
How Hall Law Personal Injury Attorneys Can Help With Your St. Paul Sexual Abuse Lawsuit
Sexual abuse is a terrible crime that can change your life forever. There is never any excuse. We, first and foremost, hope that you are now in a safe and secure environment–and are receiving the support you need and deserve.
Victims of sexual trauma often find out quickly that it isn’t as simple as “putting the abuse in the past.” You’ll need money to cover medical bills, therapy, and other expenses. The trauma of sexual abuse could prevent you from earning that money.
Our experienced St. Paul personal injury attorneys are here to help in any way we can. When you hire us, you’ll benefit from a team that has been nationally recognized by organizations like Super Lawyers, Martindale-Hubbell, and The National Trial Lawyers.
When you hire us, we will:
- Investigate and gather evidence to support your claim
- Evaluate every possible avenue for recovering compensation
- Calculate the value of your case
- Work with leading experts as we assess your damages
- Negotiate for every dime you deserve
- Take your case to trial if that’s in your best interest
To learn more about your options under Minnesota personal injury laws, call our St. Paul personal injury lawyers to arrange a free consultation today.
We Handle All Types of Sexual Abuse Cases in St. Paul
Our lawyers are dedicated to representing survivors of sexual abuse in St. Paul. We’re passionate about helping victims of sexual abuse get justice. In fact, cases involving sexual abuse have become one of our firm’s primary practice areas.
We know that sexual abuse can happen in many different situations. We’re well-equipped to handle any type of sexual abuse case, including those involving:
Childhood Abuse
Sexual abuse of children is a serious crime. It’s also something that can haunt the victim for their entire lifetime. If you were sexually abused as a child, our lawyers are here to help you fight for every available dollar.
Sexual Abuse in Therapy
When you seek assistance from a therapist, you put yourself in an incredibly vulnerable situation. Therapists who engage in sexual activity with patients can be charged with a felony–even if the patient appears to consent. Therapists who sexually abuse patients can also be responsible for malpractice.
Sexual Abuse by Clergy Members
Members of the clergy cannot use their position to engage in sexual conduct with anyone seeking religious guidance. That includes both children and adults.
Sexual Abuse in the Boy Scouts
Instances of sexual abuse by Boy Scout leaders have been well-documented. The Boy Scouts organization has already reached a $2.46 billion settlement to resolve these claims in civil court. If you were abused, contact us today to learn about your right to compensation.
Sexual Abuse in School and Sports Settings
Teachers, sports coaches, and school staff who sexually abuse students are obviously guilty of crimes. You may also be entitled to hold the school or sports organization liable for financial compensation when their negligence allowed the abuse to occur.
Sexual Abuse in Massage Parlors
When massage therapists touch a client’s intimate parts without consent, they can be found guilty of criminal sexual contact. They can also owe the victim financial compensation for the pain, trauma, and fear they’ve caused.
Overview of Minnesota Laws on Sexual Abuse
Minnesota criminal courts are dedicated to punishing individuals who are convicted of sex crimes. If your abuser is caught, charged, and convicted, they can face a lengthy prison sentence, sex offender registration requirements, and financial penalties under Minnesota criminal laws.
That said, there isn’t always enough evidence to convict. State prosecutors are held to a strict “beyond a reasonable doubt standard.” Even worse, many perpetrators of sex crimes are never caught and charged with a crime.
Even if your attacker is punished, who will pay your medical bills and cover therapy costs? What about the wages you lost when you couldn’t work due to the trauma you suffered? Fortunately, the criminal justice system isn’t your only option.
By filing a personal injury lawsuit, you may be entitled to recover compensation for medical bills, lost wages, pain, trauma, and more. You may be able to take legal action in civil court even if your attacker isn’t found guilty through the criminal justice process.
What Is My St. Paul Sexual Abuse Case Worth?
Our lawyers must carefully evaluate the facts of your personal injury case before offering an estimate. Victims of sexual abuse often suffer severe trauma and other non-financial losses.
Still, we can offer information about the issues that will impact your case value.
Your case value will depend heavily on:
- The nature of the assault and the identity of the at-fault party
- The types of physical injuries you suffered
- The nature of your emotional suffering and trauma
- How the abuse has impacted your life, considering education prospects, work opportunities and damage to your overall quality of life
- Your medical treatment and therapy costs
- Whether someone other than your abuser can be held liable for damages
We know that seeking legal advice can be difficult. The trauma of the abuse may still feel fresh–and the mere thought of opening old wounds can cause additional trauma.
Our lawyers are here to provide support in any way we can. We know that recovering financial compensation can make a huge difference in your future.
What Types of Damages Are Available to Victims of Sexual Abuse in St. Paul?
By filing a personal injury claim, you can pursue compensation for economic damages and non-economic damages.
Economic damages often include:
- Past and future medical expenses
- Lost wages during recovery
- Reduced earning potential
- Physical therapy
- Rehabilitation
- Counseling and mental health assistance
Some examples of non-economic damages include:
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Anxiety
- Depression
- PTSD and fear
- Diminished quality of life
- Loss of fertility
- Damage to personal relationships
The judge may also award punitive damages. Punitive damages are rare in Minnesota, but can be awarded to punish the defendant for intentional wrongdoing.
How Do I Establish Liability for Sexual Abuse in Minnesota?
Sexual abuse is both a criminal offense and an intentional tort. While criminal offenses are handled in criminal court, civil courts deal with intentional torts. You may also have rights under state vicarious liability or premises liability laws.
Intentional Torts
Your abuser can be held liable for the intentional tort of sexual assault in civil court. The standard of proof in civil cases is much lower than in criminal cases. You can succeed in a personal injury case if you can prove that it’s “more likely than not” true that the abuse occurred.
Vicarious Liability
Vicarious liability laws hold employers liable for the acts of their employees. If your abuser’s position as an employee was what ultimately allowed the abuse to occur, their employer may be liable.
Some examples of employers who have been found liable for sexual abuse committed by their employees include:
- The Boy Scouts of America
- The Roman Catholic Church
- Other religious organizations
- USA Gymnastics
- Colleges and universities
- Schools and daycares
- Nursing homes
- Hospitals
- Medical practices
These types of organizations are ultimately responsible for conducting background checks and supervising employees. Some employers are held liable because they look the other way and knowingly allow sexual abuse to occur. Others are found responsible because they reasonably should have known about the abuse.
Premises Liability
Premises liability laws impose obligations on property owners and businesses. Owners must keep their property reasonably safe for those invited onto the property. That includes providing adequate security to prevent foreseeable crimes–including sexual assault and abuse.
“Adequate security” depends on many different factors, including the history of criminal activity in the area. Property owners can be held liable for negligent security, for example, if they fail to install lighting or security cameras that could prevent reasonably foreseeable sexual abuse.
How Long Do I Have To File a Personal Injury Lawsuit if I Was Sexually Abused in Minnesota?
Like any personal injury case, there is a deadline for taking legal action. The deadline in Minnesota will depend on the circumstances of the abuse. Contact our lawyers today to schedule a free case review so that we can evaluate the facts and take action before time runs out.
Contact a St. Paul Sexual Abuse Lawyer for a Free Consultation
The trauma of sexual abuse can be devastating. Every facet of your life can be impacted. Our team at Hall Law Personal Injury Attorneys is here to help you fight for justice. Call today for your free case review with a trusted St. Paul sexual abuse lawyer.
